JBU Gives NCAA’s UA-Little Rock a Scare

Siloam Springs, Ark. (November 29, 2005) - The John Brown Golden Eagles trimmed double-digit deficits in both halves against the Arkansas-Little Rock Trojans Tuesday night in Little Rock, but could not quite claw their way to a victory, losing 67-62. Senior guard Brandon Cole scored 23 points, and senior point guard Alex Terry added 13 for the NAIA Division I Golden Eagles in their bid to upset the NCAA Division I Trojans. Rashad Jones-Jennings led the Trojans with 18 points and nine rebounds. Zack Wright added 13 points and 8 assists, and Lekheythan Malone contributed 11 points. John Brown’s Joel Tesis pulled down 17 rebounds and scored 5 points.

Arkansas-Little Rock (3-1) had the game well in hand during the first half as it built a 17-point 28-11 lead over John Brown (3-4) by the 7:22 mark. But the Golden Eagles closed the half on a 17-4 run, spurred three 3-pointers by Cole and freshman Cody Page.

In the second half, John Brown took a 35-34 lead on a layup by Page with 18:47 remaining. An Elijah Muldrow layup gave the lead back to the Trojans on the next play, but the Golden Eagles later led again 44-42 when Brandon Cole hit a jumper with 11:47 left.

Arkansas-Little Rock surged back ahead, however, taking a 63-51 lead at the 4:07 mark. Just as in the first half, though, John Brown launched another comeback attempt. A Terry layup cut the Trojans’ lead to just 64-62 with 0:57 left, but Wright made a jumper and a free throw to stave off the assault.

John Brown out-rebounded Arkansas-Little Rock 38-32, but it was the home team’s 50% shooting that made the difference. The Golden Eagles shot just 38% from the field.